"Roar!"
A dark red light suddenly flashed as the three-headed Crimson Demon Mastiff, the Red King, once again appeared before the three of them.
Du Busi stepped forward, shielding Jiang Jue and Weina behind him. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the charging Red King.
This time, the Red King no longer carried the rage it had before. Its gaze was calm—a calm born of absolute confidence.
That was because, aside from its central head, each of the other two heads held a soul beast. Both beasts bore deep, bloody wounds, clearly subdued with a single strike.
In the Red King's right mouth hung a blood-red creature, vaguely humanoid in appearance, but with abnormally long limbs, sharp claws and fangs, and body covered in dark demonic patterns.
Even though it was unconscious, faint blood mist still wafted from its body, strangely enchanting, with faint spiritual fluctuations as if guarding it.
In the left mouth was… a piece of wood. But this wasn't an ordinary piece—it was graceful and refined in appearance. Two branches grew from it, one dark green, the other ice blue, radiating a peculiar, refreshing fragrance.
For the first time, Jiang Jue felt that even a piece of wood could look refined and elegant.
"Humph!"
The Red King shook its two heads, dropping the soul beasts before Du Busi, and said coldly:
"Release the Auspicious Beast. These two soul beasts are yours to take."
"Agreed! Red King, you are true to your word!"
"Old man is not someone who goes back on his promises."
Du Busi's gaze swept over the two soul beasts with satisfaction. He nodded, then lifted the restriction suppressing the Auspicious Beast.
"Uncle Red King, I…"
Sensing its restraints vanish, the Auspicious Beast immediately ran to the Red King's side. Its golden eyes revealed embarrassment, its expression conflicted, wanting to speak but unable.
All of this had happened because of it. Inevitably, it felt some regret.
"It's alright. As long as you're safe."
The Red King shook its head slightly, examining the Auspicious Beast. Finding no injuries, it breathed a sigh of relief. Looking back toward Jiang Jue and the others, the hostility in his eyes lessened.
Protecting the Auspicious Beast was a duty entrusted to it by Ditian. For thousands of years, it had already treated the creature as its own child. As long as it was safe, everything else was secondary.
Besides, after this incident, the Red King believed the Auspicious Beast would mature. They had sheltered it too much; a brush with the dangers of the outside world was not a bad thing.
"Humans, take these two soul beasts and leave the Star Dou Great Forest."
"If you dare step into it again, it will be your death!"
A low, rumbling voice echoed out from the depths of the forest. At first, it sounded hoarse and gravelly, but in the next instant, it rolled forth like thunder.
The sheer pressure within that voice dimmed even the color of the sky.
Jiang Jue's eyes flickered.
He knew this voice. It belonged to none other than the Beast God Ditian, the strongest being on the continent, first among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts, with over 800,000 years of cultivation!
In the Star Dou Great Forest, only he could wield such power.
Du Busi clasped his hands behind his back, expression unchanged. A boundless aura of blood energy surged skyward from him, dyeing half the heavens crimson. His robes billowed violently as a fearless gleam shone in his dark green eyes.
Stars filled the sky; the silver moon shone brightly.
"Ditian, this old man admits you are strong, but I am not weak."
"Threats? I don't fall for them."
His heavy voice carried a fearless determination, as if he were marching ever forward.
"So, human, you consider yourself brave?"
The voice paused, then came again, filled with majesty. From the forest's core, a vast, overwhelming darkness spread outward.
"Heh… forget it."
"This time, this old man won't keep you company. We shall meet again."
The corner of Du Busi's mouth curled. With a wave of his hand, he lifted the two soul beasts, Jiang Jue, and Weina. A flash of light—and in an instant, they were gone.
"Hm?"
So swift, even the darkness faltered briefly.
"They ran?"
The voice sounded caught off guard.
The next moment, a black figure appeared beside the Three-Eyed Golden Lion and the Red King.
The tall figure radiated a terrifying aura, the very space around him trembling. Dressed in black robes, he looked like a man in his forties, handsome and stern, with a lock of golden hair falling across his cheek.
His golden eyes brimmed with majesty. Just standing there, he exuded overwhelming strength.
"Uncle Ditian."
"Beast God."
The Red King and the Three-Eyed Golden Lion spoke at once.
But both beasts avoided his gaze.
The Golden Lion was guilty of causing trouble, while the Red King feared punishment for failing to protect the Auspicious Beast.
It remembered vividly the last time Ditian had beaten the unruly Bear Lord—an unforgettable, brutal scene.
"Humans… all that talk, yet they fled so quickly."
Ditian murmured, watching where Du Busi's group had vanished. Then he turned to the two beasts before him—more precisely, to the Golden Lion.
"You little one… far too mischievous."
"I've told you many times—the greatest threat to soul beasts is human soul masters. If this one had broken his promise, you would've been in grave danger."
Ditian's deep voice carried no scolding, only gentleness, even a touch of fondness.
"Uncle Ditian, I know I was wrong. Next time… there won't be a next time."
The Golden Lion lowered its head, even the tuft of golden fur on its crown drooping, showing true remorse.
"You, ah… I don't even know what to do with you."
Seeing its sincere attitude, Ditian couldn't help but smile.
"Uncle Ditian, if… I mean, if I no longer had the aura of auspiciousness, no longer able to bless the soul beasts… would you still treat me so well?"
The Golden Lion raised its head, eyes shimmering oddly, tinged with unease.
Ditian's brows furrowed slightly. After a pause, he replied calmly:
"Little one, you must understand—there is nothing in this world that is truly pure."
Hearing this, the Golden Lion's eyes dimmed.
"But I can tell you this with certainty: after tens of thousands of years together, even if you lost your auspicious power, you would still be my friend… even my child."
"As long as I live, whoever dares harm you must be ready to face my wrath."
Ditian's voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt.
"Uncle Ditian… I understand."
The Golden Lion's eyes brightened, its inner unease instantly dispelled.
Ditian smiled gently, his tone softer still.
"Come, let's go home."
(End of Chapter)